House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who represents Maryland’s 5th District announced that the House would vote on the Great American Outdoors Act (HR 7092), the single largest investment in the preservation of historic, cultural, and natural resources for public lands in our generation, by the end of July.
Update: On the evening of July 22, 2020, the House of Representatives approved one of the most significant pieces of conservation legislation in a generation, the Great American Outdoors Act, with broad bipartisan support. Having passed the Senate in June, the legislation is on its way to the President’s desk, who specifically requested the bill for his signature.
Last week, thanks in large part to advocates from across the country, the Great American Outdoors Act passed the Senate by a vote of 73-25. This legislation would fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and address the critical backlog within national parks and other public lands, a majority of which are historic structures in need of repair.
South Carolina Representative Joe Cunningham introduced a House version of Great American Outdoors Act, earlier this month, and Maryland Representatives Anthony Brown and John Sarbanes are signed on as cosponsors. It will need to pass the House to move forward.
In his announcement that the bill would be brought to a vote in July, Hoyer said:
“While I am disappointed that Republicans have indicated they would oppose this bill under suspension, which is why I will bring it to the Floor under a rule later in July, I look forward to seeing it pass the House with strong bipartisan support and being sent to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”
While this is encouraging, it is still important to encourage your Representatives to support this important legislation.